Note 2013: GYMS is no longer running, this historical information on GYMS is included
here to inspire someone to start a similar group for young people in the future.

GYM our Group Mascot

A new Group for Young people with MS has been set-up in the Sheffield region. The
aim of GYMS is to share experiences, provide support and enable Young People with
MS to make informed choices about how they can best live with the condition.

If you are under 35 with MS and live in or around Sheffield you are welcome to join!
Just email me to receive our bimonthly newsletter and notice about when and where
we meet up!

HOW GYMS CAME ABOUT?

GYMS (Group for Young MSers), was initiated by myself, and Adrienne Cox, an MS specialist
nurse at the Royal Hallamshire hospital, in September 2000 following demands for
such a group from many young people with MS in the Sheffield region!

When I heard about this need I decided to take on the task of helping to set-up such
a group. Having lived with Multiple Sclerosis for over six years now, I have learnt
many ways of stabilising my condition. Through my experiences, I have gone from being
a 'MS victim' with MS wreaking havoc in my central nervous system and almost destroying
me in the process, to reclaiming and getting my life back on track through the realisation
that I didn't have to be this victim!

By changing my lifestyle (diet, nutrition, yoga etc) and attitude (positive thinking,
meditation etc) I could actually take control over MS and start building and living
my life once more. I am so grateful to be here, and be living such a functional life,
that I am happy now to be able to give something back!

My main message to people with MS is:

Don't let yourself be a victim to this disease!!!

There really is so much you can do to help yourself!

Had I known what I know now about MS, I am sure my life with MS would have been a
very different story (however I have no regrets. I love life too much!)

HOW WE HELP & WHAT WE GET UP TO?

When Young People are diagnosed with MS it often comes as a devastating blow and
in a blurred state of shock vital information about MS does not get passed on or
taken in at this time. Often a young person may need time to deal with the the situation.
They may or may not be even ready to contact the local MS Charities, and meet people
with MS, see wheelchairs, incontinence and all there worst fears

This is where GYMS comes in, offering a point of contact for the young person without
any pressure. They receive a positive and informative newsletter, which I produce,
with important contact numbers and the latest information on drugs and Self-Help
therapies. They can come along to a group meeting, or maybe would just like to find
a pen-pal through the group.

The group is essentially for us to develop and do what we like with. We are working
in conjunction with the Sheffield MS Society and MS Therapy Centre. We had our first
meeting in early February, which was well attended and very positive. Next month
we will be meeting up informally in a pub. We would like to organise other events
such as a bowling night. We want to have a laugh, and we can talk about MS if we
want to but we don't have to.

I am at present seeking further funding outside of the MS Society who have been kind
enough to sponsor us (Thanks David Cobb- MS Society Chairman!). We are also looking
to do some crazy fundraising exploits to raise money and raise awareness and already
have some skydiving volunteers! It will be interesting to see how GYMS develops so
watch this space!

Since June 2002 the way I run GYMS has changed. This is because I am now working
directly for MS-UK (formerly the MSRC), on their newly launched web-page to be found
at www.ms-uk.org so I no longer have the time to commit to doing a separate newsletter..

I also research and write for their fab MS magazine New Pathways, which every GYMS
Member received a copy of in April! As I only have limited energy I am channelling
most of it into this MSRC work rather than duplicating this work producing my own
separate newsletter still. New Pathways is far more extensive anyway, well edited,
and glossy to boot.

So for all the latest news about MS and ways to Take Control please subscribe to
this magazine or visit the MS-UK Webpage (above). I am sure most of you have already!!!
I am still sending out the local and Group News in newsletter format!